Surprise for Giraffe and Elephant, A - Hardcover

Paul Gude

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1423183118 ISBN 13: 9781423183112

Publisher: HYPERION, 2015

Synopsis

Elephant has a lot to say about surprises - about surprise alpine horn serenades, and surprise toboggans and surprise parties. And while Giraffe doesn't have a lot to say about surprises, or anything else, he always seems to get the last word. With surprising wit and humour, Paul Gude brings back delightfully earnest Elephant and her quiet friend, Giraffe, for three new (and surprisingly silly) adventures that will leave readers laughing and asking for more!

About this title

Review:

PRAISE FOR WHEN ELEPHANT MET GIRAFFE
"Gude's sense of visual and textual pacing and comedic timing is spot-on." "SLJ""

The welcome return of odd-couple pals Elephant and Giraffe (When Elephant Met Giraffe, 2014). Gude tenders three brief but pointed moments in the lives of Elephant and Giraffe: the best time to play the alpenhorn (here referred to as an alpine horn), how to enjoy (or not) a toboggan on a tropical savannah and how to throw a surprise party. Its exactitude is charming. In the first vignette, Giraffe (who does not speak) is clueless as to when to play his huge horn: when Elephant is going to bed, when she is getting up, maybe when she is having lunch? Lunch turns out to be the best time. In the second sketch, Elephant voices that she would like a toboggan, so Giraffe sets to work (with an acetylene torch) to build her one. Once it's completed, they bring it to the dry, flat savannah and sit on it. Elephant is very grateful-and tactful. In the final episode, Elephant tells Giraffe she is throwing him a surprise party. Giraffe asks for balloon animals, polka music and no cake. That's what he gets but only if you take one word at a time. Though there are some quirks-using a blowtorch to build a wooden object is a big one-the artwork's an utter distraction, with color straight out of first-grade paint jars. Readers can't help but feel lifted after spending time with these two companions. (Picture book. 3-5) Kirkus"

Chatty, bossy Elephant and her quiet pal Giraffe star in three new vignettes in Gude's follow-up to When Elephant Met Giraffe. In the first tale, Giraffe expresses his creative side by playing his alpine horn, with mixed results ("Giraffe!" Elephant shouts. "It's too early for alpine horns!") Next, the duo's toboggan ride through their savanna environs isn't as fun as imagined. And, finally, Elephant takes a very literal approach to planning Giraffe's "surprise" party. Striking just the right tone between prickly and sweet, Gude offers a succinct, drily funny tribute to the seesaw nature of friendship. Ages 3 5. PW"

PRAISE FOR WHEN ELEPHANT MET GIRAFFE
-Gude's sense of visual and textual pacing and comedic timing is spot-on.---SLJ

PRAISE FOR WHEN ELEPHANT MET GIRAFFE
"Gude's sense of visual and textual pacing and comedic timing is spot-on."--SLJ

About the Author:

Author, actor, musician and cartoonist, Paul Gude was surprised to remember that Giraffe and Elephant's toboggan adventure was inspired by his childhood in Dorsey, Illinois, where he had a toboggan like the one Giraffe gives Elephant and the lack of good sledding hills resulted in a similar outcome. Paul currently lives in Seattle, Washington, which is much more toboggan friendly, and this is his second book for children. Learn more about Paul at paulgude.wordpress.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: HYPERION
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1423183118
• ISBN 13: 9781423183112
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 56